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The Little White Car
When a concept album by The Sofia Experimental Breadboard Octet sparks a relationship-breaking argument, Veronique jumps into her little white Fiat and drives off into the night - straight into an incident with global ramifications.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 11, 2011
A brief cartoon romp imagining the life of the white Fiat Uno driver the night of Princess Diana’s crash. In this book she’s Veronique, a probably very talented photographer whose break up with her boyfriend leads to a drunken ride home and the unfortunate accident. The rest of the story is about her attempt to dismantle the car and avoid the coppers, while being generally rather French in that way the Brits assume all French women are, i.e. glamorous femme fatales.
Dan Rhodes’s Anthropology is some of the warmest wittiest flash fiction out there, but this feels like it was written in two weeks during a stay in Paris. For a comic novel, it isn’t nearly as risky or dark enough to rise above its cloying tweeness, its cute-funny-boyfriend tone, its half-chewed ideas. A longer book satirising a zany French movement like the Oulipo might’ve been funnier, and he could’ve gone mad with the form and style.
Shame. Feels like it’s for a younger audience, too, maybe twelve-to-fifteen-year-olds.
Dan Rhodes’s Anthropology is some of the warmest wittiest flash fiction out there, but this feels like it was written in two weeks during a stay in Paris. For a comic novel, it isn’t nearly as risky or dark enough to rise above its cloying tweeness, its cute-funny-boyfriend tone, its half-chewed ideas. A longer book satirising a zany French movement like the Oulipo might’ve been funnier, and he could’ve gone mad with the form and style.
Shame. Feels like it’s for a younger audience, too, maybe twelve-to-fifteen-year-olds.
December 10, 2014
Sorry to say, this really wasn't very good.
We all know that this is actually a book by Dan Rhodes. I really rather enjoyed 'Little Hands Clapping'. 'Timolean Vieta, Come Home' and 'Gold' were funny and different. This book, though, shows the flip-side of Rhodes' writing. For a book that presented itself as a 'light read' (that's light as in almost insubstantial) it took me a long time to finish . It seemed intentionally middle-brow and yet there were few of the compensations that such a read might offer. The book's anti-intellectualism wasn't as funny as the author seemed to think. All in all, it felt like a book satisfied with its own lack of ambition. If a book can be lethargic then this one was.
I was disappointed because Rhodes' best work is well worth reading. There were touches of it here - the side story about Uncle Thierry and his pigeons, for example - but by and large this book left me cold.
We all know that this is actually a book by Dan Rhodes. I really rather enjoyed 'Little Hands Clapping'. 'Timolean Vieta, Come Home' and 'Gold' were funny and different. This book, though, shows the flip-side of Rhodes' writing. For a book that presented itself as a 'light read' (that's light as in almost insubstantial) it took me a long time to finish . It seemed intentionally middle-brow and yet there were few of the compensations that such a read might offer. The book's anti-intellectualism wasn't as funny as the author seemed to think. All in all, it felt like a book satisfied with its own lack of ambition. If a book can be lethargic then this one was.
I was disappointed because Rhodes' best work is well worth reading. There were touches of it here - the side story about Uncle Thierry and his pigeons, for example - but by and large this book left me cold.
January 27, 2013
Meh. Being a wreck and drinking too much doesn't make you adorable. It makes you lame.
August 12, 2023
Short and sweet
August 31, 2021
hilarious, smart, and topical (i think? i was 4 when the book came out)
anyways had a blast reading this one!
anyways had a blast reading this one!
June 22, 2007
I love Dan Rhodes' story-telling technique and this was a thoroughly enjoyable (and quick) read - it is not his best but I would still recommend it to most people who want a light, fun, silly read.
October 13, 2015
One day i'll be able to pick up a book by Dan Rhodes and not read it in one go. Today was not that day.
March 22, 2017
ידיעות אחרונות, שרון פרמינגר, 2004, 174 עמ´ זהירות ספויילרים, אבל זהירות גדולה יותר מספר דבילי ומיותר לחלוטין. אני עוד זוכרת את היום שבו נודע שדיאנה הנסיכה נהרגה. היא והחבר שלה דודי אל פיאד. אני גם זוכרת את חרושת השמועות שרדפה את המוות החסר תכלית שלה. היא מתה בדיוק כמו שנסיכה אמורה למות, מוות מסתורי, שהשאיר אותה בתודעה כקדושה מעונה. והנה בא לו חצפצוף, ועל הסיפור הזה של היפיפיה הנמה האנגליה, בונה את סיפורה של ורוניק. נערה צרפתית שבלילה עלום אחד, בעודה מסוממת וממוסטלת, נהגה בפיאט אונו לבנה שעשתה תאונה במינהרה. מאז הבוקר שלמחרת, כאשר היא מגלה מה היא עשתה חייה אינם חיים, היא גונבת, מתמסטלת, משקרת, משתגלת ומנצלת את האקס שלה, זאן פייר, עצלן כרוני וממוסטל בשביל לצאת מהתסבוכת שאליה היא נקלעה. נשמע מרתק? אז זהו שלא בדיוק. הספר סתמי ומיותר. לפעמים הוא מצליח לשעשע, אבל אני הרגשתי שזה יוצא לו בלי כוונה ומהר מאוד הוא חוזר לתלם השיעמום והמופרכות של הסיפור השטותי והמיותר הזה. עד כמה מופרך? עד כדי כך שבשביל להתפטר מהראיה הכי כבדה נגד הגיבורה, זאן פייר (האקס המיתולוגי) מנסר את המכונית לחלקים קטנים שאותם הוא שם בשקיות זבל ענקיות המפוזרות בכל רחבי פאריז. הניסור המדהים הזה בא אחרי שורוניק וחברתה (הממוסטלת גם) אסטל, מפרקות את המכונית לחלקים בידים. זו יכלה להיות פרודיה נהדרת, לו המחבר לא היה שוקע בפלצנות ובנסיון ליצור קטעי מעבר משמימים על החיים של דור הסוטול הפריזאי. ועוד בכריכה האחורית של הספר הם הרהיבו ובלי להתבלבל – "מה עושה בחורה טובה שמתעוררת בבוקר בדירתה בפריז, ומבעד לאי ההנג אובר מבינה שבליל אמש היתה מעורבת בתאונה שבה נהרגה הנסיכה דיאנה? את תשובת המחץ לשאלה הזאת מספק דן רודס בספרו החדש - רומן מהיר, משובב ואקסצנטרי, ממש כמו מכונית לבנה קטנה.רודס מגיש סיפור מצחיק עד דמעות, מותח לעילא, מאוכלס בדמויות מטורפות ושובות לב המצוירות במשיכות המכחול המדויקות שלו: ורוניקה השאננה וחברתה הסקסית אסטל, הדוד ת`יארי בעל יוני הדואר, רופא אנגלי חובב ריקודים, ושורה של מוסכניקים.העלילה רצופה תפניות מפציעות, פחי אשפה ציבוריים, מערכות סטריאו גנובות, מין, מוות ותקריות בילאומיות." לא בחורה טובה ולא בטיח. אם בחורה רוצחת, גנבת, שיכורה וממוסטלת נחשבת לבחורה טובה, אז מה יגידו אזובי הקיר? תשובת מחץ? אולי בסטנדרטים של ידיעות, בסטנדרטים שלי המחץ היחיד הוא הנפל הזה..ואקסצנטרי זה ביטוי שלא נמצא בלקסיקון שלי בכלל בכל הנוגע לספר הזה שלא לדבר על העובדה שהם קצת מגזימים בקשר לדמעות. דמעה אחת לא זלגה מעניי בגלל צחוק אם כבר בגלל שבזבזתי יום שלם בקריאת הזבל המודרני הזה. ספר לשירותים? כן, אין ספק שהוא יכול להעביר את הזמן המת הזה במקום עיתון לאישה או ידיעות אחרונות. (בחיי לא ברור לי למה ההוצאה הזאת מתעקשת להוציא את כל הזבל הזה שהיא מוציאה. חסרים סופרים צרפתיים, אנגליים, גרמניים ? שצריכים להוציא את הדבר הרדוד והחסר טעם הזה?)
November 26, 2022
What a fun and quirky story! There’s a lightness to all that happens, even the heavy bits, and while from the outside the main characters seem daft, their genuineness and sincerity shines through.
For all the shenanigans and silly romp, nothing comes across as cheap thrills or unbelievable nonsense. The writing is airy and the storytelling is quite captivating.
Plot? Yes, there is one. No, I won’t even hint at it here. Better to go in blind. Completely blind. Like don’t even read the back cover of the book.
It’s not a “show about nothing.” Everything that does happen swirls around and intertwines tightly and brilliantly. The story is told and unfolds with a sense of urgency; a sense of suspense even.
Fun and genuine from start to finish. Highly recommend reading this. And remember, go in blind.
For all the shenanigans and silly romp, nothing comes across as cheap thrills or unbelievable nonsense. The writing is airy and the storytelling is quite captivating.
Plot? Yes, there is one. No, I won’t even hint at it here. Better to go in blind. Completely blind. Like don’t even read the back cover of the book.
It’s not a “show about nothing.” Everything that does happen swirls around and intertwines tightly and brilliantly. The story is told and unfolds with a sense of urgency; a sense of suspense even.
Fun and genuine from start to finish. Highly recommend reading this. And remember, go in blind.
April 11, 2019
I really enjoyed this novel. It’s a super quick read and quite funny. I think fans of Sally Rooney will appreciate it.
August 27, 2019
Quirky and witty
January 16, 2021
Wacky. Just wacky.
April 1, 2023
Almost not worth saying anything. I thought it would be a charming little read but it was bland at best; no humour and none of the characters were likeable.
July 21, 2023
This book has touching and funny moments, yet the rest of the book is just boose and sex. Disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2025
This borrowed an idea from Barcelona Plates by Alexei Sayle.it is an oddity but interesting and quite well written
November 30, 2025
Written by a MAN?
February 4, 2024
Not D Rhodes's best, but an enjoyable read and really great writing as always.
(Interesting that the publishers decided that a story which involves a Fiat Uno should be illustrated on the cover with a Fiat Panda.)
(Interesting that the publishers decided that a story which involves a Fiat Uno should be illustrated on the cover with a Fiat Panda.)
March 17, 2017
An interesting imagining about Veronique being the driver of the titular little white car who believes she has caused a fatal collision in the Pont d'Alma in France. A few eccentric but limitedly formed supporting characters help move this along. Perfect for a light and quick read, but not going to set the world alight.
February 18, 2022
A very funny story about a group of self-absorbed, hipsterish young Parisians, one of whom has apparently killed Princess Diana while driving under the influence. Not quite as hilarious as "When the Professor Got Stuck in the Snow" and "Sour Grapes," but Rhodes is a master at creating absurd characters and situations.
May 7, 2007
So imagine if Princess Diana's car crash in Paris was actually caused by some drunk, stoned chick weaving in front of Di's limo in her "little white car"... Yep, that's what the story is about. And I still can't decide whether I'm bothered by it or if the whole thing charms me. It seems kind of horrific when it's laid out like that, but the nice thing is that the author doesn't take any of her characters seriously enough (or have the characters take themselves seriously enough) for that to be the big question. Di's death is just the backdrop, and the protagonist approaches dismantling her car with the same nonchalance as breaking up with her boyfriend (and then stealing his stereo). It's treating everything that is in the moment with impenetrable seriousness, and everything that came or is coming before or after as inconsequential. And if you're actually appalled about the whole Princess Di thing? You're just taking it too seriously.
Opening sentence: One of the things about The Sofia Experimental Breadboard Octet was that they weren't an octet. There were fourteen of them. Another thing about them was that none of the fourteen played a breadboard.
And later- Veronique looked over her shoulder at Francoise, who was sitting at her desk and ostentatiously reapplying her bright orange make-up. Veronique wondered where on earth it was possible to buy such stomach-churning cosmetics. Maybe she had them flown in specially from the eighties.
The funny thing about this book is that I thought it was translated, but just now going back to check I realized it's not. I was thinking earlier about how there seems to be a certain contemporary European novel voice/vernacular, and I was wondering if it's just because I've read the works in translation and not in their native tongues. I suppose this answers the question for me.
Opening sentence: One of the things about The Sofia Experimental Breadboard Octet was that they weren't an octet. There were fourteen of them. Another thing about them was that none of the fourteen played a breadboard.
And later- Veronique looked over her shoulder at Francoise, who was sitting at her desk and ostentatiously reapplying her bright orange make-up. Veronique wondered where on earth it was possible to buy such stomach-churning cosmetics. Maybe she had them flown in specially from the eighties.
The funny thing about this book is that I thought it was translated, but just now going back to check I realized it's not. I was thinking earlier about how there seems to be a certain contemporary European novel voice/vernacular, and I was wondering if it's just because I've read the works in translation and not in their native tongues. I suppose this answers the question for me.
July 29, 2020
Paris, 31. August 1997, kurz nach Mitternacht. Véronique steigt nach einem heftigen Streit mit ihrem Freund Jean-Pierre angetrunken und mit einem Joint in der Hand in den weißen Fiat Uno ihrer Eltern, um nach Hause zu fahren.
In einem Straßentunnel kommt es zu einem Unfall, irgendetwas knallt gegen das Heck des Wagens, doch in ihrem Halbrausch fährt Véronique einfach weiter und begreift erst zu Hause, dass etwas passiert ist.
Am nächsten Morgen dann die Nachrichtenmeldung, dass Prinzessin Diana bei einem Autounfall in einem Pariser Tunnel ums Leben gekommen ist.
Véronique ist fest überzeugt, den Unfall verschuldet zu haben, erst recht, als an dem Unfallwagen Lackspuren von einem alten weißen Uno gefunden werden.
Das Auto muss verschwinden, sagen sich Véronique und ihre Freundin Estelle, die sie eingeweiht hat ... doch wie einen Ersatz für die Eltern beschaffen?
Ein skurriles, witziges kleines Buch, das mit seiner überdreht-realitätsfernen und trotzdem komischen Handlung an englische Filmkomödien à la "Notting Hill" oder "Vier Hochzeiten und ein Todesfall" erinnert.
In einem Straßentunnel kommt es zu einem Unfall, irgendetwas knallt gegen das Heck des Wagens, doch in ihrem Halbrausch fährt Véronique einfach weiter und begreift erst zu Hause, dass etwas passiert ist.
Am nächsten Morgen dann die Nachrichtenmeldung, dass Prinzessin Diana bei einem Autounfall in einem Pariser Tunnel ums Leben gekommen ist.
Véronique ist fest überzeugt, den Unfall verschuldet zu haben, erst recht, als an dem Unfallwagen Lackspuren von einem alten weißen Uno gefunden werden.
Das Auto muss verschwinden, sagen sich Véronique und ihre Freundin Estelle, die sie eingeweiht hat ... doch wie einen Ersatz für die Eltern beschaffen?
Ein skurriles, witziges kleines Buch, das mit seiner überdreht-realitätsfernen und trotzdem komischen Handlung an englische Filmkomödien à la "Notting Hill" oder "Vier Hochzeiten und ein Todesfall" erinnert.
August 1, 2025
O Octecto Experimental de Tábua de Pão de Sofia é um nome que nunca deixou a minha cabeça, desde que li esse livro pela primeira vez lá em 2010: talvez seja hora de reler pela terceira vez. Um grupo de moças bêbadas pós-noitada bate o carro, um carrinho branco, e ao chegarem em casa desmaiam de sono: todos os noticiários na manhã seguinte espalham a trágica notícia da morte da Princesa Diana, vítima de um acidente de trânsito: a ansiedade toma conta do grupo que agora planeja de mil formas um jeito de desmantelar o carro e sumir com todas as peças. De humor ácido e clima surreal, Dan de Rhodes (assinando por pseudonimo feminino) entrega uma boa construção de mundo e um clima único pra esse livro curtinho em suas menos de 200 páginas.
June 6, 2010
The storytelling is really impeccable, affecting and touching. There is a whimsical antitheses within the delicate quirky prose, in that it seems to be fresh and unlike anything else within the marquee. I genuinely believe that proposition.
Rhodes writing sticks with you and in some glib forensic analysis, you realize that you seem to refer to the intrinsic dilemmas, conflicts and personality traits/disorders all too often in conversation.
Main characters do not have to be your best friend.
Rhodes writing sticks with you and in some glib forensic analysis, you realize that you seem to refer to the intrinsic dilemmas, conflicts and personality traits/disorders all too often in conversation.
Main characters do not have to be your best friend.
February 13, 2008
I got this book because I thought it looked silly and smart and fun. It was silly, alright. How it failed to be very fun at all is really a mystery. Smart? Almost not at all. So disappointing. You try to treat yourself to some mind candy and you just end up underwhelmed. I was really happy to start Of Human Bondage after this one. Seriously.
September 1, 2011
I personally really enjoyed this book, it was a nice light-hearted summer read that had laughable moments. It was really fun to tag along with the main character Veronique and her best friend Estelle as they set out to a fun night out filled with crazy antics and tough situations. Not the best read but enjoyable.
August 2, 2013
I'm a huge fan of Dan Rhodes and have been meaning to read this for a long time. Ridiculous, satirical farce which had me laughing out loud several times before I even reached the 50th page. Rhodes obviously had a huge amount of fun writing under this pseudonym, and as a result so do we. Great stuff!
Read
July 5, 2007I like how the writer merged the fictional characters of the book to those in the real world i.e. Princess Di and the infamous car crash. Stealthily (or not) post-modernist. Easy read with wry humour that can be done within a day, or even a couple of hours!
May 30, 2008
I found this book to be just "ok". I guess I expected more fun and foolishness. There were a few moments of amusement, but nothing that stands out, really. I'm not sorry I read it, but I can't say I'd recommend it to anyone.
May 27, 2010
TCL Call#: Fiction DeRhodes
Madeleine - 3 stars
What a bizarre little book. It's kind of like "Dumb and Dumber" meets "Bridget Jones" meets "Clueless". It's funny and innane and a perfect gentle read when your brain needs a break.
Madeleine - 3 stars
What a bizarre little book. It's kind of like "Dumb and Dumber" meets "Bridget Jones" meets "Clueless". It's funny and innane and a perfect gentle read when your brain needs a break.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews